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The Rodney Cricket Association is looking to formally establish hard ball cricket for juniors living in Mahurangi.
An informal Saturday competition was set up last year through Warkworth Cricket Club.
This year, the association is looking to field three teams in Auckland Cricket Association competitions under the auspices of the Hibiscus Coast Cricket Club.
Rodney Cricket Association junior president Raymond Barnes says it’s about giving local children some quality cricket.
“We could have a Rodney competition, but with just three teams it wouldn’t be satisfactory. Going through Hibiscus gives them a great opportunity,” Barnes says.
“Once we can establish enough interest in the sport by doing this it should be possible to set up a local competition. That’s the long-term goal.”
The idea is being supported by the senior Rodney cricket sides, who see value in bringing younger players through.
“At this stage, we are getting the Year 5 to Year 8 students involved and eventually we will have a structure in place for all young players who can then transition into the senior competition,” Barnes says.
Former Black Cap Brendon Bracewell is also back supporting the junior cricket this year, running winter coaching sessions currently at The Range Warkworth.
“We have around 30 children participating in coaching at this stage and from here we can work out how many we have to play hard ball cricket and establish some teams,” Barnes says.
The coaching sessions are open to any children interested in hard ball cricket and run on a Wednesday between 3.15pm and 5.15pm and on Sunday between 10.30am and noon.
To participate, children must register by contacting the Rodney Cricket Association Facebook page facebook.com/RodneyCric/
